Overview

Background
Psycho Pros
Psycho Karma
Finding Team Psycho
Joining Team Psycho

Founded in 1991 as an informal group of four triathlon training partners in suburban Boston, Team Psycho has since become recognized as one of the most elite triathlon teams in the world.

Team Psycho is made up of highly successful triathletes, duathletes and other multi-sport athletes centered primarily in the New England region. Members include professional and age group world champions at the Olympic and IronMan distances, participants in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000, and USAT's 2002 Female Master Athlete of the Year. One of the team's most recognized members - Karen Smyers - is the only person ever to have won the Triathlon World Championships and the prestigious Hawaii Ironman in the same year (1995). Psycho members train together throughout the year, and race at a highly competitive level throughout the season. They frequently represent their sponsors on the awards podium at local, national, and international competitions. Team Psycho members include a variety of successful business professionals, engineers, scientists, lawyers, university students, and professional triathletes. The club currently has over 65 members.

Team Psycho members have recently participated in such prestigious Ironman races in Austria, Brazil, Canada, Florida, Germany, Japan, Lake Placid (NY), New Zealand, Switzerland, Wisconsin, as well as the renowned Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Other National and world class races at which Team Psycho members have competed include the World Duathlon Championships, the World Triathlon Championships, the Boston Marathon, the Dannon Duathlon series, several ITU points races, the Triathlon National Championships and the Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series.

Team Psycho members have also continued their dominance this year of various regional races in New England, with wins and other top finishes in both elite and age group divisions.

 
Team Psycho Professional Triathletes

Karen Smyers
1995 Hawaii IronMan Champion
6 time US Pro National Champion (1990-95)
4 time USOC Triathlete of the Year (1994-96, 99
2 time ITU World Champion (1990, 95)
2 time Pan American Games Gold Medalist (1995, 99)
2001 U.S. Elite National Champion
2004 Timberman Half Champion
2005 Ironman USA Lake Placid - 4th place
2005 Eagleman Half Ironman - 4th place
Wife and Mother of 2 Children
Cancer survivor

Dede Griesbauer
2004 Eagleman Half Ironman Amateur Female Champion
2004 Disney Half Ironman Amateur Female Champion
Turned Professional in 2005
2005 Eagleman Half Ironman - 6th Place
2005 Disney Half Ironman - 5th Place
2005 Ironman USA Lake Placid - 8th Place

 
Psycho Karma™

Psycho Karma is an elusive quality that we seek out in prospective members. But don't go looking for a checklist - or a formal initiation ritual. Psycho Karma is an attitude - towards multisport, and life.

Psycho Karma has never been fully defined, but like excellence, we know it when we see it. If James Dean had ridden a bicycle (and hadn't smoked), he might have been a member. If the cartoon Road Runner ever got in the pool, learned how to swim, and bulked up those birdie shoulders a little, s/he might have been a member too.

The exploits of real, live members with Psycho karma usually involve pushing the pace beyond reason - especially on the bike. Throwing up is often a factor. Dogged persistence in the face of adversity is also part of Psycho Karma, and for this, Karen Smyers is one of the main templates we use in defining it. If you don't know who Karen is... well, come back when you do.

But enough talk. Come join us for a workout and you'll see.

 
Finding Team Psycho

We invite multi-sport athletes who find themselves in the Boston area to come work out with us - at the pool, at the track, or on the roads. But bring a map, your Psycho Karma, and maybe a defibrillator. If you make it back alive, you're welcome to hang out with us at the Harpoon Brewery, home of our sponsor, or to join us at one of our 2006 Team Psycho Key Events.

 
Joining Team Psycho

Team Psycho is an elite triathlon club, considered by many to be one of the more prestigious and competitive teams in the country. Triathletes around the world recognize the Team Psycho brand and associate it with very competitive athletes who relish tough training and hard racing. This community also considers the team to be a great group of people who enjoy social and athletic camaraderie.

Team Psycho is not a traditional club. With the exception of sponsoring and developing talent in promising young athletes, the team has no desire to grow membership to keep pace with the exploding interest in triathlon. In early 2003, the Team Psycho Board of Directors surveyed existing members to determine the ideal team size. Nearly 80 percent of the team participated in the survey, which concluded that the present team size of approximately 75 members was "just right." Over 20 percent of the team felt that 75 members was too many, with only one respondent expressing an interest in increasing team size. With this overwhelming response in hand, the Board is challenged to consider the desires of a tight-knit group when considering new membership candidates.

Many people ask what it takes to be a member of Team Psycho. Since its formation, Team Psycho has lived very successfully by an invitation-only membership policy. Yet, this policy is strained by three themes: First, the popularity of Team Psycho and the sport of triathlon; second, the desire of members to retain the "elite brand" that being Psycho represents; and third, the effect upon the brand that may occur with increased team size and evolving membership standards. Thus, it has now become critical to re-iterate and refine the longstanding criteria for new member invitations.

Admission review proceedings take place in November of each year, but the process for applying to be a team member begins 8-12 months beforehand, in the Winter or Spring. All of the criteria outlined below must be met during the Triathlon Season preceding the November, new member review process. Anyone who has not spent the Spring and Summer training with team members, attending key team events and fulfilling other criteria as outlined below will not be considered for membership in that year.

One final note about what it takes to be a member of Team Psycho...It is not just about results, we have lots of fast people but not everyone is an elite triathlete. We seek people who strive for personal excellence, someone who tries to be the best that they are capable of being. (See #4- Psycho Karma below). It is also about participation in many team events throughout the year. It is about being someone who is proud to wear the team uniform and someone who is fun to be around.

Specific Criteria for becoming a member of Team Psycho

1. Be a Triathlete. We're a triathlon club. We want to attract and retain triathletes who are actively racing. Team Psycho must be your exclusive triathlon / multisport club-members of other teams will not be invited to join our club. Further, joining another multisport club is inconsistent with Team Psycho values-such individuals will be asked to resign Psycho membership.
   
   
2. Train with Existing Team Members. Candidates get to know the club and a cross section of its members by training with the club on a regular and ongoing basis.
   
   
3. Participate in Team Events. Training with members is a central part of being a team member. However, the realities of geography, racing focus, and varied athletic abilities often make it impossible to meet a high percentage of the team through training alone. In response, the Board has gone to great lengths to increase the number and variety of team events to afford members and candidates the opportunity to participate in our athletic and social events. It is expected that team members will encourage candidates to attend team events.
   
   Team Psycho Key Events are always listed on the team's website under the Calendar section. Each year, the Board will determine events, both new and traditional, which qualify as team-sponsored events. New candidates must make the individual effort to attend and participate in team events. In order to qualify for membership, candidates must participate in at least three (3) team events during the Spring/Summer prior to nomination. The more the better. Although there is no formal hierarchy, attendance at Team Psycho Weekend (TPW) tends to carry more weight than others simply because it is the best opportunity for team members and prospective members to get to know each other.
   
   
4. Exhibit Psycho Karma. Karma is the subjective judgment of "fit" with the Team Psycho ethic. You don't have to be fast, but there must be a clearly articulated reason to be associated with this team. You push yourself beyond physical and mental limits. Team members want to train and race with you, because you push them beyond their physical and mental limits. People who know you think you're Psycho.

1. Timing. In November of each year, the Board will solicit and review candidates for new membership.
   
   
2. How does an existing team member nominate a candidate?
   
   

   a. All candidates must receive two written nominations from members of the team. Member nominations submitted to the Board should be concise and focus on the membership criteria outlined above. It is not sufficient to simply email "I support new member X. Please call me for details."
   
   b. What does the candidate need to do? All candidates must express written interest directly to at least one Board member and complete a short biographical questionnaire. It is expected that the candidate will list the team-sponsored events attended during the preceding year. h

3. How is the decision made? The Board will note a candidate's accomplishment of the standards set forth above, and offer membership invitations accordingly.

1. Exhibit Psycho Karma.
2. Attend as many team events as possible.
3. Attend Team Psycho Weekend.
4. Wear the uniform with pride at races and on training rides.
5. Volunteer to help organize team events or create a new event.
6. Volunteer to be a member of the Board of Directors.
7. Demonstrate personal excellence and mental toughness.
8. Treat fellow members with respect.
9. Pay annual dues on time.

2006 Board of Directors

Skip Thomas
Scott Shaunessy
Carmen Monks
Joash Black
Wayne Berger

®Team Psycho is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. ®Team Psycho is exempt from tax under Title 26 USC, Section 501(c)(3), and contributions made to it are tax deductible pursuant to Title 26 USC, Section 170(c). ®Team Psycho is an equal opportunity organization. It is the policy of ®Team Psycho, from recruitment through determining membership and governance, to provide equal opportunity without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, sexual preference or disability. ®Team Psycho is a registered trademark of Team Psycho, Ltd.

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